Devon-born disability radio station goes digital

Access All Aerials community radio station now has a national audience

An Exeter based community radio station for disabled people can now be listened to on digital radio.

Access All Aerials (AAA) has got its DAB+ licence, making it the first disability broadcaster to go fully digital.

The radio station is operated by 50 people with disabilities and airs shows aimed at empowering the disabled community to have its voice heard.

Access All Aerials is run by Community Equality Disability Action (CEDA) from its radio studio in Marsh Barton and says thousands of listeners tune in to its range of music shows and talk radio.

Georgy Tubb is one of the station's media mentors

CEDA said the radio station also aimed to help disabled people be visible and valued.

Greg Hill, who presents the station's Tuesday Drivetime programme, said: "My hope for the future is to build our listenership and get our voices heard; mainstream radio doesn't give the same opportunities to disabled people."

A grant of £115,025 from the National Lottery Community Fund has helped the community radio station secure the DAB+ licence.

Some of the grant is funding a media mentors scheme which has created two posts for people with disabilities at the station.

Those mentors train disabled volunteers how to use the equipment and present a show.

Jacob Towner hosts the Saturday night show as DJ Shrimp

Media mentor Georgy Tubb said she had gained skills in setting up and running a radio station.

"I work with DJs with learning disabilities. We want to get across on the radio what it's like to live with different disabilities," she said.

Jacob Towner is visually impaired and said he dreams of working in clubs.

As DJ Shrimp he presents the Saturday Night Dance Party radio show on AAA.

He said: "I've got good muscle memory. I can find my way around the decks. I know exactly what's where. Mixing music is a really tactile process."